Octagonal Mirrors

A sculptural mirror can have such a big impact on a space, simultaneously acting as both artwork and a reflective surface. This is why I was so excited when I found this lovely octagonal mirror while I was out thrifting last week:

 I found it at Good Will for a mere $4, and knew it had a tonne of potential.
When I got home, a Pinterest hunt led me to some mega inspiration:

Amy Perlin, originally published in House and Garden, August 2005 via Architectural Digest

Sean McNally via Lonny

Raúl Martins, originally published in Nuevo Estilo Magazine, via Habitually Chic

via Pinterest, original source unknown

For now I have mine hanging in my newly organized closet (more on that later...I need to get a better light bulb before I can photograph it). I'm still deciding how to refinish my mirror, but at the moment I'm leaning towards tortoise shell. Any thoughts? This is a project I might not tackle until my next apartment, where I will hopefully have more space to display it in a more prominent spot.
xox

Warby Parker X Architects for Humanity

 Gone are the days when wearing glasses was uncool. Today, being a 'four eyes' is so damn chic people are wearing fake lenses just to look good. No joke people.
I have to say, I think much of this is owing to Warby Parker, a company that produces stylish glasses at an affordable price. To top it all off, for every pair of glasses that Warby sells, a pair of glasses is distributed to a person in need. I love that. That is worth celebrating:

via Warby Parker Class Trip

Now, to do even more good, Warby Parker has teamed up with Architecture for Humanity just in time for AfH's 15th anniversary. For the last 15 years, Architecture for Humanity has been providing "vulnerable communities with vital, innovative and most of all community-driven architectural, planning and construction services". Together, these companies have collaborated to create 2 exclusive new frames (Aslin and Fowler) which are inspired by an appreciation for streamlined angles and built to last materials like Japanese Titanium and Warby's signature acetate. Plus, they look absolutely lovely. Today is the release date of this inspiring collaboration!

And if all that good deed doing doesn't inspire you to buy a pair, perhaps a little inspiration of a couple of fabulous ladies in their fabulous Warby Parkers (of various styles) will:

p

via Styled Avenue

via Warby Parker Class Trip

Doing good is always in style in my books!
Read more about the collaboration and how you can contribute here.

Term 6 Final Project: Historic Building Adaptive Reuse

I cannot believe that I am already done 6 out of 12 terms! Time is flying. A year and a half ago I began my interior design journey and now I'm half way to having my Bachelor of Interior Design Degree. This term, our big project was converting a four story historic building into a modern use space. This was our first group studio, and it was a great experience working with 2 other students (and friends) Kelsey and Aram, to complete the final project! We chose to turn ours into a nutrition facility which includes a healthy eating restaurant, fitness studio, cooking classes and nutrition consultation offices. It was a huge amount of work, but we did it! Here are our final presentation boards:

Glad it's over! I've been enjoying two weeks off but next week it's back to business!

Curtained Canopy Beds

Last week, while rounding up inspiration images for my post on Chintz, I re-fell in love with Michelle Adam's curtained bed, covered in Pyne Hollyhock by Schumacher. Then I found myself daydreaming about curtained beds. I had always loved these as a kid and wished I had one. Recently, in my History of Furniture class I learned that curtained beds were popular beginning around the 14th century by the wealthy to help keep out coldness and drafts. Today, they are more about prettiness than warmth, and isn't there something so romantic about the idea of shutting the curtains around your bed on the world?

Michelle Adams via Lonny Mag, August 2012

Mark Sikes and Michael Griffin via Lonny

Veere Greeney via World of Interiors, October 2013

via Architectural Digest

Diane Von Furstenberg Paris Apartment via InStyle Magazin

How do you feel about curtained beds?
xox

My Matchbox Display

My matchbooks from Waiting on Martha (that I posted about here) came awhile ago and I love them! The only problem was I didn't really know where or how to display them, and ended up hiding them in a drawer, which is a huge shame given how adorable they are! Then the other day I was thrifting at Value Village and a pretty pink depression glass bowl caught my eye from a distance. When I got close, I realized it was actually an ashtray and I thought 'what a clever, witty little holder for my matches this would be!'. At $3, this baby came home with me and is making me happy every day!

Evolution of a Drawing: Modern Industrial Reception Area

It's been a little while since I shared my drawings with you guys, so I thought today I would show you the process of drawing this:

The first step is always the pencil drawing, in which you set your vanishing point, horizon line, and objects. Then I trace over this with a fine tip black architectural pen:

 After this is complete, I go in with varying shades of Prismacolor French Grey markers and add depth with shadows. I always love how this looks at the end and get nervous to add any colour!

Finally, I go in and add colour to get to the final result.

Next week I will be sharing the entire project! Stay Tuned!
xox

Give Chintz a Chance

Chintz is back and better than ever. No, we aren't talking grandma's dated floral couch here people (although I just know there is something fabulous about even that), but a modern, fresh take on this traditional fabric. The term Chintz means any printed calico from India, usually cotton and glazed, but today we use it more casually to describe any floral fabric.
I've rounded up some of my favourite Chintz fabrics and some inspiration below!:

Fabric via Schumacher, Inspiration photo via Lonny Mag, August 2012.

 Fabric via Designer's Guild, Inspiration Image via A Storied Style.

Fabric via Schumacher, Image via Tory Burch in Vogue

Now tell me, do you like chintz? Would you do a full floral sofa, or play it safer with a throw pillow?
I think it is a truly timeless look, and I love that it is back in style!
xox